Toy, particularly adapted to dispense catnip



July 13, 1937. H. WJMUNRO 2,086,631

TOY, PARTICULARLY ADAPTED T0 DISPEN SE CATNIP Filed April 18, use

Patented July 13, 1937 UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE TOY, PARTICULARLY ADAPTED T DIS- 9 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in toys. While certain features of my invention may be employed for other uses, it is primarily adapted as an exercising device for cats and to spur them on to greater exercise by dispensing catnip odor or catnip to them.

In a broad aspect of my invention, it includes a substantially spherical body having a cavity therein in which catnip or other herbs may be contained, duct means for dispensing catnip odor or catnip leading from said cavity to the surface of said body and closure means for said duct means secured to said body, said duct means and closure means being constructed so that said closure means may be moved to and from posi- I tions (A) completely closing said duct means; (B) partially opening said duct means; and. (C) completely opening said duct means. So far as I am aware, any type of closure means for sealing a catnip or catnip odor opening is new in catnip dispensers, particularly one which is movable to positions accomplishing these results.

A further feature of my invention relatesto the particular arrangement of duct means or dispensing openings I preferably employ for this purpose. I preferably arrange a plurality of dispensing openings circumferentially of said body 4 preferably in the lower portion thereof including elongated duct means. 1 preferably also employ a partially spherical closure means forsaid duct means securedto said body preferably also provided with duct means including elongated duct means arranged in relation to the duct means in the body so that said closure means may be moved to and from positions, (1) completely closing all said duct means; (2) partially opening said elongated duct means to substantially the size of said other duct means and opening said other duct-means; and (3) completely opening said elongated duct means and closingsaid other duct means. Thus, position (3) gives a con-. venient position for filling the toy with catnip or other herbs and removing it therefrom. Position (1) gives a convenient position for shipment. or cleaning or washing purposes, with all the ducts or openings closed, and position (2) gives a position in use in which each individual duct may be partially or entirely opened to dispense the desired amount of catnip or catnip odor circumferentially of. said body to the eat.

While any type of material may be used to form the body and closuremeans of my invention, I preferably construct at least the body of pressed thin preferably resilient sheet material, such as celluloid, metal, or the like to permit the substantially spherical body to bounce up and down to give more pleasure to the cat or other animal. In the specific embodiment shown, I may conveniently press out the body upper portion, the body lower portion and the closure portion simulvide a light toy which will not scratch or mar the taneously from preferably three superimposed sheets of thin resilient material to form a nest of substantially hemi-spherical cups, each contained within the other and which nest may be simultaneously cut from such sheets of material thus substantially forming the three elements of my device if desired at once.

A further feature of my' invention, thereforefi is due to the inherent structure of my improved specific device to provide a device which may be so simply and easily made.

A further feature of my invention is to provide a toy of this description. in which the means joining the closure portion to the body portion, as the axis on which'the closure portion may relatively rotate, may be so weighted or have weighting means added thereto or otherwise affixed to said body to tend to make said body assume an upright position after rolling or bouncing.

A further feature of my invention, if celluloid or light plastic material be employed as the material thereof, is to provide a surface which may readily be painted or lithographed or have pigmented surface designs incorporated therein. Thus in'use, if my improved toy be used as a catnip ball, a representation of a dog, or other object which tends to excite or please the cat may be painted thereon or incorporated therein.

If desired, the exterior surface of the body may be provided with external .protuberances simulative if desired of parts of animated or other objects which protuberances may also be designed to tend to prevent the toy from rolling any considerable distance and being lost. If desired, the external protuberances may be counter-balanced by the weighted means or portion hereto fore described, which will tend to make said toy assume an upright position and only permit the rocking thereof.

Further features of my invention are that I provide a deviceof this description in which the exposed surface thereof may be readily cleaned and a device in which all the holes may be closed for-cleaning purposes so as to prevent the cleaning materials from injuring the catnip or other herbs contained therein. My improved toy is preferably made from celluloid or metal or other light material which may also be resilient to profurniture.

A further object of my invention is to pro--; vide a toy comprising a substantially spherical hollow body portion comprising two hollow component partially spherical parts, one of said parts having weighting means contained within to tend to make said toy at all times assume an upright position and thus provide a light device which may readily bounce around to the pleasure of the cat or other animal, which will not mar the or without a closure having the hole means thereof in the upper end thereof so that the animal playing with the dispensing toy must work to upset the toy against the weight of the weighting means to have it dispensecatnip.

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of the accompanying drawing which illustrates embodiments thereof.

In the drawing Fig. l is a side elevation of my improved toy with the duct means partially open in an operative catnip dispensing position.

Fig. 2 is a reverse plan view thereof with the closure means moved to a position opening the elongated duct means for filling or removing purposes and closing the other duct means.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of my toy with a pigmented representation of a dog embedded in the celluloid body thereof.

Fig 4 is a sectional view of my improved toy taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 but showing all the duct means closed by the closure means for shipping or cleaning purposes.

Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are horizontal'sectional views taken along the line a:x of Fig. 1, Fig.5 illustrating the closure means moved relative to the duct means to position (3) namely, completely 'oprening the elongated duct means and closing said other duct means, Fig. 6 showing the closure means moved relative to the duct means to position (1), namely, a position closing all said duct means and Fig. 7 showing the closure means moved relative to the duct means to position (2), namely, a position partially opening the elongated duct means to substantially the size of said other duct means and opening said other duct means. I

Fig. 8 is a side elevation, with the lower portion thereof broken away and shown in section, of a different embodiment of my invention formed. of molded material and provided with external protuberances to prevent my improved toy from rolling, said protuberances being also preferably simulative of portions of an object.

Fig. 9 is a reverse plan view of a further embodiment of my invention omitting the closure means. I

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of the embodiment shown in Fig.9.

Fig. 11 is a planview of an alternative embodiment of my invention employing the hole means in the top portion thereof, so that the animal must work against the weight of the weighting means to upset the toy'sufliciently to dispense catnip from the upper portion thereof.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 11.

In the drawing, wherein like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout, l0 generally indicates a toy constructed in accordance with my invention. Said toy comprises a sub- 'stantially spherical body l2 having a cavity ll therein, duct means [6 l ading from said cavity cured to said body, said duct means 16 and closure means l8 being constructed so that said closure means may be moved to and from positions, (I) completely closing said duct means, (2) partially opening said duct means, and (3) completely opening said duct means.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention shown, said duct means l6 includes the circular duct means 20 and the elongated duct means 22, all of said duct means being arranged circumfer-.

'entially on said body portion I2 preferably in the lower portion 24 thereof. Said duct means l6; including the circular duct means 20 and elongated duct means 22, and said closure means iii are preferably constructed so that said closure means i8 may be moved to and from positions, (I) completely closing all said duct means I6 including the circular duct means 20 and elongated duct means 22 (see Figs. 4 and 6) (2) partially opening said elongated duct means 22 to substantially the size of said other circular duct means 20 and opening said other circular duct means 20 (see Figs. 1 and '7); and (3) completely opening said elongated duct means 22 and closing said other circular duct means 20 (see Figs. 2 and 5).

If desired, suitable weighting means 26 are preferably provided in the lower portion 24 of said body i2 tending at all times to make said body assume the upright position shown.

the entire interior of the sphericalshell-like body and for this purpose in the preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 1-7, I have shown my improved device as comprising two substantially hemispherical portions, constructed of thin resilient sheet material such as, celluloid, metal or the like. While such resilient material may be suitably blown from or molded in a multiple core mold or otherwise, I have shown in my preferred embodiment the body as consisting of-two substantially hemi-spherical hollow portions suitably joined together namely, the hollow substantially hemispherical lower portion 28 preferably pressed from thin resilient sheet material such as celluloid, metal, or the like and preferably having a cup depression 30 in the bottom thereof and having duct means l6 therein and a hollow substantially hemi-spherical upper portion 32 also pressed from like thin resilient sheet material and preferably secured to said lower portion 28 by having the lower circumferential edge 34 thereof overlappingly engage the upper circumferential edge 36 of said lower portion 28 and being additionally cemented or otherwise secured thereto, if desired.

As the closure portion of my device, I preferably employ the hollow at most hemi-spherical closure portion I8 also preferably pressed from like thin resilient sheet material. Said closure portion may also,.if desired, have a cooperating cup depression 38 formed therein in the bottom thereof and duct means 40 therein adapted to be aligned with said duct means IS in said lower portion 28 to form dispensing openings 42, see Figs. 1 and '7, for dispensing catnip or other herbs therethrough. Said closure portion I8 is thus of a size to be revolvably contained within said lower portion 28.

I also provide preferably weighting means 26 including the rivet 44, extending through said cup depressions 38 and 38 where employed, of said lower and. closure portions to form an axis 44 to rotatably secure said closure portion I8 within said lower portion 28 whereby the duct means 48 in said closure portion I8 and said duct means I 8 in lower portion 28 may be moved to positions (I) in alignment; (2) partially in alignment; and (3) out ofalignment. The weighting .means 26 in addition to the rivet 44 includes the weighting washer 46. The rivet may be inserted upward through suitable holes in the closure and lower portions I8 and 28, and. have the inner end 50 thereof upset over the top of said weighted washer ,48 to frictionally retain said closure portion I8 and lower portion 28 together against the head 48 to permit rotation thereof. Said closure portion I8 is provided with a handle portion 52 protruding radially outwardly through said elongated duct means 22 in said lower portion 28 adjacent to the duct means 48 thereof to provide means to rotatably move the closure portion 58 within said lower portion 28.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the dispensing duct means 58, arranged circumferential 'ly of said lower portion 28 or body I2, include the duct means hitherto described, including the circular duct means 28 and the elongated duct means 22 arranged circumferentially of said lower portion 28 and the dispensing duct means 48 in said closure member I8 including the circulardispensing duct means 54 and the elongated duct means 56, said duct means 48 being also similarly arranged circumferentially of said closure portion to come into or out of alignment with said duct means It in said lower portion-28.

It is thus obvious with this construction, as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 that the duct means 48 in said closure portion I8 may be moved to positions relative to the duct means I8 in said lower portion 28. Thus the duct means 48 including the circular duct means 54 and the elongated duct means 56 in said closure portion I8 may be moved to relative positions out of alignment with said duct means I6 including the circular duct means 28 and the elongated duct means 22 in said lower portion 28 as shown in Figs. 6 and 4 thus closing all composite circular openings 42 and elongated opening 45 to position(3) hitherto described for shipping or cleaning purposes. Said duct means 48 in said closure portion including the circular duct means 54 and elongated duct means 58 may be moved into dispensing alignment with said duct means I6 in said lower portion 28 including the circular duct means 28 and elongated duct means 22 with said elongated duct means 58 in said closure portion I8 partially out of alignment with said elon- .gated duct means 22 in said lower portion l8 to form a dispensing opening 43 therein' of substantially the size of said other aligned circular duct means forming the circular dispensing openings 42 circumferentially of said lower portion 28 as shown in Figs. 7 and Lnamely, to position (2) hitherto described, partially opening said elongated duct means 22 and 58 to form an opening 43 of substantially the size of the openings 42 then formed by the then aligned circular duct means 28 and 54. Said elongated duct means 56 in said closure portion may be further moved to a position in full alignment with said elongated duct means 22 in said lower porvsaid other circular duct means 54 in said closure portion I8 out of alignment with said 28, thus closing said openings 42 as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, namely, the filling position (3), heretofore referred to. It is thus obvious that the position (3) shown in Figs. 2 and 5 is a convenient position for filling or emptying the hollow interior I4 of said hollow spherical body I2 with catnip or other herbs, that the completely closed position (I), shown in Figs. 4 and 6 is a convenient position for washing or shipping and that the position (2) shown in Figs. 1 and 7, with the aligned openings 42 and 43 arranged circumferentially of said body, in which the openings 42 and 48 may be made of any adjustable size, is the ideal position foruse, permitting dispensing of any predetermined amount of material such as catnip or herbs from the interior of the toy.

It is thus apparent that the upper portion 32 is of larger diameter by approximately the thickness of its own shell than that of the lower portion 28 and that the closure portion I8 is of a smaller diameter by approximately the thickness of the shell of said lower portion than that of said lower portion, and it is thus apparent that the three component parts of my improved toy may be simultaneously pressed in a form of a nest or cluster of substantially hemi-spherioal cups from each of three superimposed sheets, the upper member 32 from the lowermost layer, the lower member 28 from the central layer and the closure member I8 from the uppermost layer and'that respective nests of said hemi-spherical cups may be simultaneously cut by a rotating saw from the respective sheets ready to be fabricated into the toy described above. If desired, the lower portion 28 and closure portion I8 may be made simultaneously with the respective cup depressions 38 and 38 molded therein. Then the nest of members I8 and 28 may be separated and the desired dispensing openings cut in said center centrally of said duct means to frictionally retain said closure portion I8 and lower portion 28 together and then the lowermost cup 32 in the nest 68 may have its lower circumferential edge 34 of the then inverted upper cup portion 32 compressed over the upper circumferential edge 86 of said center cup 28 and cemented thereto if desired to secure it thereto to form the spherical hollow toy body I2 containing the rotatably mounted closure member I8 in the lower portion thereof.

It is thus apparent that by this method of manufacture, I have provided a toy comprising a substantially hollow body portion, comprising a hollow hemi-spherical lower portion 28 pressed from thin resilient sheet material such as celluloid, metal or the like, and a hollow, substantially hemi-spherical upper portion 32 also pressed from like thin resilient sheet material and preferably having the lower circumferential edge 34 thereof overlappingly engaging the upper circumferential edge 36 of said lower portion 28 and weighting means 28 such as the weighting washer 48 and rivet 44 contained within said body to tend to make said toy-assume an upright position.

As stated above, while I preferably construct my improved toy of three portions, each preferably pressed from sheet material, the upper and lower portions may, if desired, be integrally joined together or otherwise formed integral and the closure portion revolvably secured thereto preferably in the lower portion of said body. Such a device may be constructed of molded rubber or other plastic material as shown in Fig. 8 in which the two hemi-spherical upper and lower portions 32 and 28 may be molded, cemented or otherwise secured together along the seam Ill after the closure portion l8 has been rotatably secured by meansv of the weight 46 and rivet 44 to said lower portion 28. The device may be so assembled for the'purpose of molding external protuberances 12 such as the ears, nose and mouth of the cat shown therein, not at the center of said lower portion 28 as shown in Figs. 1-7, but offset therefrom in order that the upper and lower portions 32 and 28 including the protuberances 12 may be more readily withdrawn from the molds. I have shown as my improved embodiment of weighting means the washer 46 and rivet 44, said rivet 44 also functioning as the axis of rotation of the closure portion I8 relative to said body l2. If desired, however, other types of weighting means may be employed in the lower portion of the body to counterbalance the protuberances l2 and to also function to tend to make the toy assume an upright position at all times. The external protuberances '12 in addition to more readily causing a simulation of the object function to prevent prolonged rolling and losing of the toy and cooperate with the weight 'to tend to restrict its movement to a rocking movement. The external protuberances 12 are preferably employed in combination with the weighting means 26, but as stated hitherto, the external protuberances 12 may be employed alone, the weighting means 26 employed alone or each may, if desired, be dispensed with.

I haveshown in Figs. 9 and 10 a further embodiment of my invention wherein the closure means It! is omitted, preserving the other features of my improved embodiments shown in Figs. 1-8. In this embodiment, however, I have shown the weighting means 26 as comprising a tubular rivet inserted through a hole in the cupped depression 36 in the lower portion 28 of my improved device, and preferably as shown having the enlarged weighting head 50 within said toy I0.

I have shown in Figs. 11 and 12 a still further embodiment of my invention wherein the hole or duct means [6 is located near the top of the toy so that in order to dispense catnip therefrom, the animal must tip the toy off the depression 30' against the action of the weighting means 26 sufficiently so that the catnip may be dispensed from the duct means l6 near the top thereof. It is apparent that this embodiment results in much more exerciseto the animal playing with it, for in order to dispense any catnip the animal must knock the ball over sufliciently to invert it to permit the dispensing of catnip therefrom. I have also shown an analogous type of tubular rivet 26 as the weighting means in the bottom thereof, preferably in the concavity 30 where employed and while the closure means l8 in this embodiment may be also dispensed with it may be of relatively small size as shown just sufficient to close the hole or duct means It and be pivotally mounted on the pin 44 immediately adjacent the duct or hole means l6.

aoaaes 1- It is thus apparent that I provide a novel type of toy which makes possible a novel, simple method of manufacture and with the specific and broad advantages carefully delineated above.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown and methods described and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A toy comprising a substantially spherical body having .weighting means in the lower portion thereof tending to make it assume an upright position andhaving a cavity therein, dispensing duct means leading from said cavity to the surface of said body and arranged circumferentially of the lower portion of said body including elongated and other duct means, and clo sure means for said duct means secured to said body, said duct means and closure means being constructed so that said closure means may be moved to and from positions completely closing all said duct means, partially opening said elongated duct means to substantially the size of said other duct means and opening said other duct means and completely opening said elongated duct means and closing said other duct means.

2. A toy comprising a substantially spherical body having a cavity therein, dispensing duct means leading from said cavity to the lower surface of said body, said duct means being arranged circumferentially of said body and including elongated and other duct means and closure means for said duct means secured to said body, said duct means and closure means being constructed so that said closure means may be moved to and.from positions completely closing all said duct means for shipping or cleaning purposes, partially opening said elongated duct means to substantially the size of said other duct means and opening said other duct means for dispensing purposes and completely opening said elongated duct means and closing said other duct means for filling purposes.

3. A toy comprising a substantially spherical hollow body, comprising a hollow substantially hemi-spherical lower portion pressed from thin resilient sheet material such as celluloid, metal or the like having a cup depression in the bottom thereof, and having duct means therein, a hollow substantially hemi-spherical upper portion also pressed from like thin resilient sheet material having the lower circumferential edge thereof over-lappingly engaging the upper circumferential edge of said lower portionand a hollow at most hemi-spherical closure portion also pressed from like thin resilient sheet material having a cup depression in the bottom thereof and having duct means therein revolvably contained within said lower portion and a handle portion adjacent said duct means protruding outwardly through said duct means in said lower portion, weighting means attached to said cup depressions of said lower and closure portions by means forming an axis to rotatably secure said closure portion within said lower portion whereby the duct means in said lower portion and duct means in said closure portion may be moved to positions in alignment, partially in alignment and out of alignment, said weighting means tending to make said toy assume an upright position on said depressions. r

4. A toy comprisinga substantially spherical hollow body, comprising a hollow substantially hemi-spherical lower portion pressed from thin resilient sheet material such as celluloid, metal or the like having a cup depression in the bottom thereof and having dispensing duct means ar-' cal closure portion also pressed from like thin resilient sheet material having a cup depression in the bottom thereof and having dispensing duct means arranged circumierentially thereof including elongated duct means revolvably contained within said lower portion and a handle portion adjacent said duct means protruding outwardly through said duct means in said lower portion and weighting means attached to said cup depressions of said lower and closure portions centrally of said duct means by means fprming an axis to rotatably secure said closure portion within said lower portion whereby the duct means in said closure portion may be moved to a sealing position out of alignment with said duct means in said lower portion, said duct means in said closure portion may be moved into dispensing alignment with said duct means in said lower portion with said elongated duct means in said closure portion partially out of alignment with said elongated duct means in said lower portion to form dispensing opening means of substantially the size' of the openings formed by said other aligned duct means and said elongated duct means in said closure portion may be moved. to a position in full alignment with said elongated duct means in said lower portion and said other duct means in i said closure portion out of alignment with said other duct means in said lower portion, said weighting means tending to make said toy assume an upright position on said depressions.

5. A toy comprising a substantiallyspherical hollow body having duct means arranged circumferentially of the lower portion thereof including elongated and other duct means, and a hollow at most hemi-spherlcal closure portion having duct means arranged circumferentially thereof including elongated and other duct means revolvably contained within the lower portion of said body, weighting means in the lower portion of said body and means extending through the lower portion of said body and closure portion centrally of said duct means to form an axis to rotatably secure said closure portion within the lower portion of said body, 'whereby the duct means in said closure portion may be moved to a sealing position out of alignment with said duct means in said body, said duct means in said closure portion may be moved into dispensing alignment with said duct means in said body with said elongated duct means in said closure portion partially out of alignment withv said elongated duct means in said body to form 'a dispensing opening of substantially the size of the openings formed by said other aligned duct means and said elongated duct means in said closure portion may be moved to a position in full alignment with said elongated duct means in said body and said other duct means in said closure portion out of alignment with said other duct means in said body, said body being provided with external protuberances counterbalanced by said weighting means, said weighting means also tending to make said toy assume an upright position.

6. A resilient, bouncing dispensing toy, comprising a substantially spherical hollow body having a plurality of spaced dispensing hole means arrangedcircumferentially of the lower portion of. the side wall thereof, and including hole means for filling purposes, comprising a hollow partially spherical portion pressed from thin resilient sheet material such as celluloid, metal or the like and a hollow complemental partially spherical portion also pressed from like thin resilient v sheet material, secured to said other partially spherical portion, and weighting means contained within said body to tend to make said toy assume an upright position for dispensing purposes.

7. A resilient, bouncing dispensing toy, comprising a substantially spherical hollow body having a pluralityof spaced dispensing hole means arranged circumferentially of the side wall thereof and hole means for filling purposes, comprising a. hollow partially spherical portion pressed from thin resilient sheet material such as'celluloid, metal or the like and a hollow complemental partially spherical portion also pressed from like thin resilient sheet material secured to said other partially spherical portion, and weighting means contained within said body to tend to make said toy assume an upright position for dispensing purposes.

8. A resilient, bouncing dispensing toy, comprising a substantially spherical hollow body having hole means in the upper end thereof for filling and dispensing purposes, comprising a hollow partially spherical portion pressed from thin resilient sheet material such as celluloid, metal or the like and a hollow complemental partially spherical portion also pressed from like thin resilient sheet material, secured to said other partially spherical portion, and weighting means contained within said body to tend to make said toy assume an upright position, whereby an animal playing with said toy must upset said toy against the weight of said weighting means sufflciently to dispense catnip from the hole means in the upper end thereof.

9. A resilient, bouncing dispensing toy, comprising a substantially spherical hollow'body having hole means in the upper end thereof for filling and dispensing purposes, comprising a hollow partially spherical portion pressed from thin resilient sheet material such as celluloid, metal 'or the like and a hollow complemental partially an animal playing with said toy must upset said toyofi said depression against the weight of said weighting means suiiiciently to dispense catnip from the hole means in the upper end thereofl HAROLD W. MUNRO. 

